30th Jan 2025
Reading Time: 6 minutes
Updated 30th January 2025
There are over 40 million unused bits of technology cluttering up homes across the UK. If you have a few bits lying around, it’s time for a tech spring clean! Dig out those old unwanted mobile phones and broken tablets and see if you can earn yourself a decent chunk of cash.
Here’s our easy guide to help you find the best places to sell and recycle old tech online and get the best deals you can.
Mindful Decluttering
When it comes to clearing your tech, it’s important to make sure you’re not just looking for the instant cash boost that might mean you end up paying more later down the line. We’re often tempted to go all-out when we declutter to try and make room and feel better about our home space being free of stuff. However, rash decisions can mean you end up buying again – often at a higher cost – only a few months later.
Unless you’re really strapped for cash and need the money right now, think about whether you could continue with the piece of tech for a little longer. Some things will be an obvious clear-out, such as broken items or that Nokia 3310 hiding in the back of your cupboard. But if you’ve got a laptop that is a little slow but does the job, consider hanging on until you can comfortably buy a new one in the spring sales.
Before Parting With Your Tech
So you’ve had a clear out and found a few devices you no longer use and are going to sell? Great.
But before you start selling make sure that any data is backed up and then deleted from the device. Then, restore each device to factory settings. While most third party sellers say they professionally reset every device they receive, you don’t want it falling into wrong hands. If someone can access your personal photos, passwords, or card and banking details, which most phones now automatically store, it could cause you serious trouble down the line.
If you have an Apple device, make sure you delete your Apple account from it. You can make sure this is done by accessing your Apple account online through iCloud and see which devices are linked to it. Deregister the device from there if you can see it, to make sure nobody can get access from the second-hand device. It is also important to do this because a second-hand shop will require the removal of your account before they will take it from you.
Where to Sell
You can sell old tech in high street stores such as Cex, and there is an abundance of sites online where you can sell, too. Best practice is to shop around before selling to make sure you get the best deal, particularly if you’re selling a relatively new device.
Compare and Recycle is a great site to use! Simply search for the product you are selling and it’ll list prices being offered, how you can be paid and how long until you receive payment. It’s a good way to make sure you’re getting the best deals possible to make the most of your tech spring clean.
GIFFGAFF
Old phones can bring in an extra few pounds. If you update your phone every few years, chances are you have a couple of spares around the house. Networks such as giffgaff will buy these off you to put some extra cash in your pocket.
Music Magpie
No relation to us – except for the money making ethos! Music Magpie buys everything from mobile phones, to Kindles, tablets, and laptops, to CDs and DVDs and books. It’s easy to use: start an order online by inputting the items you wish to sell and receive an instant quote.
To complete an order it has to reach a minimum of £5 and you can have a maximum of 500 items in one order. No worries if you have even more – you are allowed to complete as many orders as you wish.
Money 4 My Tech
Money 4 My Tech buys a range of electronics including laptops, iMacs, tablets, games consoles, iPods, and headphones. Depending on the size of your items you can either borrow packaging from them for free and return when you send your order or request a collection from you. Both options are free of charge.
Ebay
The third party sellers make it easy to send of your old tech to them but it is worth checking out whether you can make any more money by selling it directly yourself. So much technology (used and broken too) is sold on eBay every year. Research yourself to see if people are selling similar items to yours and what prices they are selling for.
If you’re selling on eBay, be very accurate with your description. If there are scratches, show them in photos. If the device is broken, list as for spares and repairs. Take a video of the item in working order and also of the packaging you put it into before sending to the buyer. This will help you with any disputes. Private sellers don’t have to accept returns but they might be required to refund a buyer if the buyer complains about an inaccuracy in your description versus what they received.
Where to Trade In
Trading in is another option to recycle your old electronics and save money. If you’re looking to purchase a new version or upgrade then you can get better deals by agreeing to a voucher rather than hard cash.
On Wex Photo & Video it is easy to submit a request for an instant no-obligation quote. If you agree to the quote, you’ll receive credit you can spend in-store or online. They also offer regular trade-in bonuses with up to an additional £500 available.
Apple offers a trade-in on Apple products (but you might get a better deal for vouchers or cash elsewhere, so do shop around before you choose).
Most phone service providers also welcome old phone trade-ins and will offer discounts off your next purchase in exchange for them. Samsung, for example, also offers serious discounts for wearable tech like the Galaxy Watch.
Make Money From Broken Electronics
Devices not in working order still make money! Your tech spring clean hasn’t been futile – you can get cash for your broken tech.
eBay
eBay is a goldmine for broken technology – devices with smashed screens, broken buttons, and dead batteries are all being sold! A lot of people buy old tech on eBay to break down the items and use parts so it’s the perfect site to use to make money from your damaged items.
Make sure you are accurate in the description of the product you are listing and fully disclose the extent of the damage so it doesn’t backfire on you later on.
Gadget Salvation
Gadget Salvation is happy to take almost any device off your hands, even if it’s broken. It’s on a case-by-case basis, so you’ll need to fill out a form about your broken tech to get a quote.
Recycling Tech
Sending electronics to landfill is not only a waste of parts but begins to cause enormous environmental problems, too. Even if you don’t want the extra hassle of selling your old tech, make sure to recycle it and not put it in the rubbish.
Recycle Now is a very useful site that tells you how you can easily recycle your old tech – giving means they can sell on the products for cash, or take it to a household waste and recycling centre where they have an area specifically designed for electronics. Use the tool here to find your nearest electrical recycling point.
Your local tip will also have an area specifically for recycling old technology and gadgets, too.
Need more ideas? Read our article about making money from broken and used things!
More Useful Reading
For more ideas on how to declutter and make money from all your unwanted items, check out more of our articles here:
